Make Adult Acne a Blemish of the Past

When people think "acne," they conjure images of awkward pubescent teens with skin problems, but for a number of adults, acne can persist well into the late fifties.

Adult acne has many underlying causes which can depend on the gender, genetics or the lifestyle of the person suffering from the condition. For instance, women who use birth control pills can offset their hormonal balance and cause acne. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a reproductive disorder which also occurs in women, is often linked to acne as well. Stress can be a contributing factor for persistent breakouts in both sexes.

Whatever the cause, living with adult acne can be just as embarrassing for adults as it is for teens, and acne affects some 25% percent of all men and 50% percent of all women.

Getting rid of acne can become a very high priority to these individuals, particularly if it is affecting their social lives or hindering advancement in their careers.

Traditional Remedies

Traditional skin regimens used by teenagers won't work on adults. This is largely due to the fact that the reasons for teen acne are different from the causes of adult acne. Those serious about getting rid of acne should try to find the skin care systems for mature or aged skin.

Many of these daily treatment systems include a cleanser, exfoliant and blemish reducer that might contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

Used daily, these acne products can help calm many skin ailments; however, for some, the problems can still persist. This is when they may have to try another approach for getting rid acne.

In Office Procedures

Dermatologist, aestheticians and cosmetologists offer a range of modern options for people suffering from adult acne.

Below are a few of the top procedures that have been proven to work, although you will need several treatments to get the results you want.

* IPL/Fotofacial -- This wonderful technology utilizes a xenon flash lamp and optical filter that can aid in clearing away acne. This process doesn't damage the surrounding healthy skin cells, but instead, causes cell regeneration. In just three to five treatments, you will see dramatic results.

* Microdermabrasion - Microdermabrasion is a procedure where tiny crystals are used to exfoliate the skin. It can take a lot longer to get the results of an IPL (ten to twelve treatments), but those who use it say the results last far longer.

* Chemical Peel - Called chemexfoliation or derma-peeling, this technique uses a chemical to erode the dead skin on the top of the face. This treatment reduces fine lines, wrinkles as well as acne.

All these options are non invasive and require no downtime. The only real caveat to the cosmetic procedures is that they can be fairly expensive and require a number of office visits.

Maintaining Fresh, Clear Skin

Once you get your adult acne under control, maintenance becomes an important key. Women could especially lower risks of recurring breakouts by using non-comedogenic or non-occlusive makeup, which won't clog pores.

Skin maintenance systems, coupled with routine visits to a dermatologist or an esthetician, will not only aid mature individuals in getting rid of acne permanently, but can increase the self esteem of older acne suffers, sufficiently raising their quality of life.